Introduction :
Kaneez Surkha is a professionally trained improviser, sketch and stand-up comedian born and raised in South Africa. She has made quite a name amongst female comedians and sketch artists just by doing what she loves.
For her education, she trained under Adam Dow from Unexpected Productions and later Magnet Theatre in New York City under Armando Diaz.
In efforts to grow the comedy scene, Kannez also worked for Improv Comedy Mumbai (ICM), India’s first Improv Comedy group. Under ICM, she has attended and been invited to over four international Improv Festivals, in Amsterdam, Berlin, Seattle and Toronto.
Life in Mumbai and Early Career :
In 2005, she came to the city of Mumbai thinking she would just stay a year, looking for opportunities and time to write. She spent the next year training with leading theatre personalities leaning the intricacies of theatre trends in India.
After that year, she would stay another, and more than a decade later, Mumbai finally became her home.
Kaneez can proudly say that she is one of India’s first female improviser, associated with improv since 2009. She also joined the popular TV segment ‘The Week That Wasn’t’ in 2006 with Cyrus Barocha on CNN-IBN as well as hosting for the ‘The General Fun Game Show.’
In 2014, she began conducting improv workshops all around the country, making YouTuber Kannez Surka, essential to the expanding improv scene in India.
Life as a Single :
On the personal front, Kaneez decided to get married in 2007 but decided the married life wasn’t for her, getting divorced 4 years later in 2011.
Sure to add this in her stand up, she assures her audiences she loves being single and has worked really hard at. Without children of her own, she takes claim on her adorable young niece as seen on various social media profiles.
Life Outside Comedy :
It’s worthy to mention her position as a Marketing Executive at The Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization. The NGO’s vision is to equip all students with the education, skills and character they need to lead empowered lives.
In the past 20 years, Akanksha organization has been able to expand from 15 children in one center to over 500 children in 8 centers and 16 schools. Their aim is to provide young boys and girls with a strong educational foundation, good self-esteem and values to help improve their standard of living.